Five students from Gilbert Public Schools were chosen on April 20 to serve as the 2026 Youth Ambassadors for Gilbert Sister Cities, following a four-month selection process. The high school juniors will participate in an international exchange program this summer, traveling to either Northern Ireland or China to represent the Gilbert community and promote global understanding.
The program is designed to foster cross-cultural connections by having students live with host families abroad and then host visiting ambassadors in return. Maya Dykman and Allie Thivierge of Gilbert High School, along with Mackenzie Redford of Gilbert Classical Academy, will travel to Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland in June. Amelia Bray of Desert Ridge High School and Michael Wang of Gilbert Classical Academy will visit Leshan, China in July.
Elaine Kessler, President of the Gilbert Sister Cities board, said: “This year’s ambassadors remind me that global understanding is built in curiosity, humility, hard work, and the courage to show up. Their dedication and exemplary effort transformed intention into meaningful connection, and aspiration into real accomplishment. Getting to know each student was not only a delight, but a warm reassurance – a promise that the values we steward today will be carried forward with wisdom, compassion, and purpose. Because of these youth, I know with certainty that our future is in thoughtful, capable, and inspired hands.”
The selected students have demonstrated achievements both academically and through extracurricular activities. Bray leads her school’s yearbook team while participating in theater and FFA programs; Dykman plays varsity volleyball at Gilbert High School; Thivierge serves as Student Council Vice President; Redford is Student Government President at her academy; Wang leads his school’s Asian Student Association.
Before departing for their trips abroad this summer, all five participated in the recent Gilbert Global Village Festival on April 11. Upon returning home later this year they are expected to act as community mentors by joining local events such as the Gilbert Days Parade and sharing their experiences at area schools.
Gilbert Public Schools operates 39 campuses serving over 32,000 students across both the Town of Gilbert and City of Mesa according to its official website. The district aims to inspire excellence from preschool through twelfth grade within supportive learning environments according to district information. It has been recognized as an A-rated district with multiple schools earning designations for excellence according to official reports. Dr. Shane McCord currently serves as superintendent according to district leadership information.
